ICT Statistics Newslog - Americas http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/ <i>News related to ITU Telecommunication/ICT Statistics</i> ITU Thu, 21 Mar 2013 08:48:33 GMT newtelligence dasBlog 2.0.7226.0 indicators@itu.int indicators@itu.int http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=68dc8323-019a-4903-8341-b800859636ae http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,68dc8323-019a-4903-8341-b800859636ae.aspx Some Other User

Uruguay's telecoms regulator Ursec has awarded spectrum to mobile operators Claro and Movistar for a total of USD 64.2 million, El Pais reports. The licenses cover the next 20 years. Claro and Movistar will use the spectrum to provide 4G services across Uruguay.
 
Movistar won four spectrum blocks in the 1900MHz frequency band, and Claro received two blocks in the 1900MHz band and two blocks in the 1700/2100MHz band.

State-owned operator Antel did not participate in the bidding process but will have to pay USD 38 million for reserved spectrum. Antel will receive one spectrum block in the 900MHz frequency band and four blocks in the 1700/2100MHz band.

Source: Telecom Paper.

Claro, Movistar win 4G spectrum tender in Uruguay http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,68dc8323-019a-4903-8341-b800859636ae.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Claro+Movistar+Win+4G+Spectrum+Tender+In+Uruguay.aspx Thu, 21 Mar 2013 08:48:33 GMT <p> Uruguay's telecoms regulator Ursec has awarded spectrum to mobile operators Claro and Movistar for a total of USD 64.2 million, El Pais reports. The licenses cover the next 20 years. Claro and Movistar will use the spectrum to provide 4G services across Uruguay.<br> &nbsp;<br> Movistar won four spectrum blocks in the 1900MHz frequency band, and Claro received two blocks in the 1900MHz band and two blocks in the 1700/2100MHz band. </p> <p> State-owned operator Antel did not participate in the bidding process but will have to pay USD 38 million for reserved spectrum. Antel will receive one spectrum block in the 900MHz frequency band and four blocks in the 1700/2100MHz band. </p> <p> Source: <a href="http://www.telecompaper.com/news/claro-movistar-win-4g-spectrum-tender-in-uruguay--931737">Telecom Paper</a>. </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=68dc8323-019a-4903-8341-b800859636ae" /> Americas LTE http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=f403517f-0410-4014-87a7-9d465ebbd1c9 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,f403517f-0410-4014-87a7-9d465ebbd1c9.aspx Some Other User Mexico Congress votes for cell phone charges by the second http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,f403517f-0410-4014-87a7-9d465ebbd1c9.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Mexico+Congress+Votes+For+Cell+Phone+Charges+By+The+Second.aspx Wed, 09 Jan 2013 08:34:03 GMT <p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class=MsoNormal> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN><font color=#000000><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />Mexico Congress votes for cell phone charges by the second MEXICO CITY, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Mexico's lower house of Congress voted unanimously on Tuesday to change the country's telecom law to make cell phone operators charge customers per second of call, instead of rounding in minutes, as they had been doing for years. <o:p></o:p> </font></span> </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class=MsoNormal> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN><font color=#000000>The move had previously been approved by the Mexican Senate. The modification, which now only requires the final signature of president Enrique Pena Nieto, will become official 90 days after being published in the country's official gazette.<o:p></o:p> </font></span> </p> <p> Source: <a href="http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-12-18/news/sns-rt-mexico-telecomscongressl1e8niezi-20121218_1_cell-phone-america-movil-richest-man">Chicago Tribune</a>. </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=f403517f-0410-4014-87a7-9d465ebbd1c9" /> Americas Tariffs http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=3154436d-f65c-4cf4-ae29-bdcd68a3952e http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,3154436d-f65c-4cf4-ae29-bdcd68a3952e.aspx Some Other User Claro first mobile carrier in Brazil to launch LTE http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,3154436d-f65c-4cf4-ae29-bdcd68a3952e.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Claro+First+Mobile+Carrier+In+Brazil+To+Launch+LTE.aspx Wed, 09 Jan 2013 08:30:49 GMT <p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class=MsoNormal> <font color=#000000><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />Claro, the Brazilian unit of América Móvil, became the first carrier to launch LTE services in the country. Claro announced that LTE services are now available in the cities of Recife, Campos do Jordão (SP), Paraty and Buzios (RJ). Commercially branded as 4GMax, the service will be offered as part of phone and modem chip packages.<o:p></o:p> </font> </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class=MsoNormal> <font color=#000000>Although Claro was granted 40 megahertz of spectrum in Brazil’s June spectrum auction, the carrier started services in Recife using just 10 megahertz. Claro said it will gradually ramp up the service. In the cities of Campos do Jordão, Buzios and Paraty, Claro is using all 40 megahertz of spectrum.<o:p></o:p> </font> </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class=MsoNormal> <font color=#000000>Claro stated that it will meet Anatel’s requirement to provide LTE coverage for all the FIFA Confederations Cup host cities by April 2013. Coverage in the remaining cities will follow Anatel’s schedule.<o:p></o:p> </font> </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class=MsoNormal> <font color=#000000>Located in the northeast, Recife is the capital of the state of Pernambuco. According to Claro, Recife’s entire population is covered with 3G networks, and 93% of the state of Pernambuco’s urban population is covered by the carrier.<o:p></o:p> </font> </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class=MsoNormal> <font color=#000000>Claro is offering packages and plans above 5 gigabytes. The devices compatible with Brazil’s LTE technology are Motorola’s Razr HD, which costs about $314 (R$649), and Samsung’s Galaxy SIII, which costs about $479 (R$999); however, these prices are attached to the company’s contract plan: Claro Unlimited 200 4G. As for modems, Claro offers the Huawei E392 for about $153.50 (R$320) when attached to the contract plan dubbed Claro Internet 5GB. The pricing plans may vary according to region.<o:p></o:p> </font> </p> <p> Source: <a href="http://www.rcrwireless.com/americas/20121214/carriers/claro-first-launch-lte-services-brazil/">RCR Wireless</a>. </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=3154436d-f65c-4cf4-ae29-bdcd68a3952e" /> Americas LTE http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=adb5de78-250c-4116-91cf-332cbea42b43 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,adb5de78-250c-4116-91cf-332cbea42b43.aspx Some Other User

Mobile number portability (MNP) is now available in Paraguay, TeleSemana reports. The service is priced at PYG21,864 (USD4.82) and includes an eight-day processing time, which is scheduled to decrease to five working days by the end of the year.

As previously reported by TeleGeography’s CommsUpdate, in June 2012 Spanish firm El Corte Ingles won the contract to administer Paraguay’s MNP database, after being selected by the Comision Tecnica de Portabilidad Numerica (CTPN), which comprises representatives of the country’s four mobile operators – Tigo, Nucleo (Telecom Personal Paraguay), Hola Paraguay (Vox) and Claro Paraguay – and telecoms regulator Consejo Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (Conatel). El Corte Ingles reportedly beat off stiff competition from Ericsson del Paraguay, a local offshoot of US firm Telecordia. El Corte Ingles has administered Spain’s number portability database since 1999, with a monthly average of over 140,000 ported lines. It has already won numerous contracts to administer MNP across Latin America, including markets such as Peru, Colombia, Dominican Republic and Mexico, although it lost out to chief rival Telcordia in both Argentina and Chile.

Source: TeleGeography.

MNP goes live in Paraguay http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,adb5de78-250c-4116-91cf-332cbea42b43.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/MNP+Goes+Live+In+Paraguay.aspx Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:46:21 GMT <p> Mobile number portability (MNP) is now available in Paraguay, TeleSemana reports. The service is priced at <span class=caps>PYG21</span>,864 (USD4.82) and includes an eight-day processing time, which is scheduled to decrease to five working days by the end of the year. </p> <p> As previously reported by TeleGeography’s CommsUpdate, in June 2012 Spanish firm El Corte Ingles won the contract to administer Paraguay’s <span class=caps>MNP</span> database, after being selected by the Comision Tecnica de Portabilidad Numerica (CTPN), which comprises representatives of the country’s four mobile operators – Tigo, Nucleo (Telecom Personal Paraguay), Hola Paraguay (Vox) and Claro Paraguay – and telecoms regulator Consejo Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (Conatel). El Corte Ingles reportedly beat off stiff competition from Ericsson del Paraguay, a local offshoot of US firm Telecordia. El Corte Ingles has administered Spain’s number portability database since 1999, with a monthly average of over 140,000 ported lines. It has already won numerous contracts to administer <span class=caps>MNP</span> across Latin America, including markets such as Peru, Colombia, Dominican Republic and Mexico, although it lost out to chief rival Telcordia in both Argentina and Chile. </p> <p> Source: <a href="http://www.telegeography.com/products/commsupdate/articles/2012/12/03/mnp-goes-live-in-paraguay/?utm_source=CommsUpdate&amp;utm_campaign=5b7fc521ad-CommsUpdate+03+December+2012&amp;utm_medium=email">TeleGeography</a>. </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=adb5de78-250c-4116-91cf-332cbea42b43" /> Americas Mobile number portability http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=6a0dfa72-056a-4141-a871-914043b61e53 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,6a0dfa72-056a-4141-a871-914043b61e53.aspx Some Other User

Brazilian cable services operator Net Servicos (Net) now has more than five million residential broadband subscribers in the country, Telecompaper reports without citing its sources. The cableco, which offers high speed internet access under the Net Virtua banner, says it reached the milestone in September, and now claims to be the market leader in that particular segment. Recent successes in subscriber take-up have been driven by the success of its convergence strategy – offered via Net Combo. Net says that four out of five subscribing households currently take at least two of the three services on offer – voice telephony, broadband internet and pay-TV – and that its network now passes six million homes.

Earlier this month the cableco reported that favourable exchange rates were the reason why its third-quarter net profit quadrupled to BRL108 million (USD53.3 million) from BRL23.6 million in 3Q11. The company, which is controlled by America Movil (AM) of Mexico, confirmed that its results were boosted by the depreciation of the Brazilian real versus the US dollar in the third quarter, adding that income for the period was ‘substantially influenced by the positive effects of exchange rate changes.’ The real fell 13% against the dollar compared with 3Q11. Net reported third-quarter revenue of BRL2.03 billion in July-September, up from BRL1.7 billion in the three months ended 30 September 2011. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) was BRL559 million, up from BRL486 million a year earlier.

Source: TeleGeography.

Net Servicos broadband base passes five million mark (Brazil) http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,6a0dfa72-056a-4141-a871-914043b61e53.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Net+Servicos+Broadband+Base+Passes+Five+Million+Mark+Brazil.aspx Fri, 14 Dec 2012 09:37:46 GMT <p> Brazilian cable services operator Net Servicos (Net) now has more than five million residential broadband subscribers in the country, Telecompaper reports without citing its sources. The cableco, which offers high speed internet access under the Net Virtua banner, says it reached the milestone in September, and now claims to be the market leader in that particular segment. Recent successes in subscriber take-up have been driven by the success of its convergence strategy – offered via Net Combo. Net says that four out of five subscribing households currently take at least two of the three services on offer – voice telephony, broadband internet and pay-TV – and that its network now passes six million homes. </p> <p> Earlier this month the cableco reported that favourable exchange rates were the reason why its third-quarter net profit quadrupled to <span class=caps>BRL108</span> million (USD53.3 million) from <span class=caps>BRL23</span>.6 million in 3Q11. The company, which is controlled by America Movil (AM) of Mexico, confirmed that its results were boosted by the depreciation of the Brazilian real versus the US dollar in the third quarter, adding that income for the period was ‘substantially influenced by the positive effects of exchange rate changes.’ The real fell 13% against the dollar compared with 3Q11. Net reported third-quarter revenue of <span class=caps>BRL2</span>.03 billion in July-September, up from <span class=caps>BRL1</span>.7 billion in the three months ended 30 September 2011. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) was <span class=caps>BRL559</span> million, up from <span class=caps>BRL486</span> million a year earlier. </p> <p> Source: <a href="http://www.telegeography.com/products/commsupdate/articles/2012/11/16/net-servicos-broadband-base-passes-five-million-mark/?utm_source=CommsUpdate&amp;utm_campaign=03e6166d80-CommsUpdate+16+November+2012&amp;utm_medium=email">TeleGeography</a>. </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=6a0dfa72-056a-4141-a871-914043b61e53" /> Americas Broadband Revenues http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=52683215-2c6b-421a-83ad-26d5c90d5dc9 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,52683215-2c6b-421a-83ad-26d5c90d5dc9.aspx Brazil's TIM faces new regulatory scrutiny over service quality http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,52683215-2c6b-421a-83ad-26d5c90d5dc9.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Brazils+TIM+Faces+New+Regulatory+Scrutiny+Over+Service+Quality.aspx Tue, 20 Nov 2012 12:35:56 GMT <p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class=MsoNormal> <font color=#000000><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />Brazil telecom regulator Anatel on Friday ordered TIM Participacoes, the nation's No. 2 wireless carrier, to stop selling a flat-rate promotion plan with unlimited calls per day because of concerns about service quality.<o:p></o:p> </font> </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class=MsoNormal> <font color=#000000>It was the latest in a series of regulatory setbacks for the Brazilian unit of Telecom Italia. In July, Anatel banned TIM's sales in 19 states for nearly two weeks until the company presented an investment plan to improve service.<o:p></o:p> </font> </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class=MsoNormal> <font color=#000000>TIM started selling its "Infinity Day" promotion on Monday, allowing customers to make unlimited phone calls within the carrier's network for a flat rate of 0.50 real ($0.24) a day.<o:p></o:p> </font> </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class=MsoNormal> <font color=#000000>The plan could bring "potential instability" to the company's network and "hurt the quality of service for all TIM customers," Anatel said in a decision published on Brazil's official gazette.<o:p></o:p> </font> </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class=MsoNormal> <font color=#000000>TIM was not immediately available to comment on the regulator's decision. The company intended to sell the plan to prepaid customers on a promotional basis until Jan. 15.<o:p></o:p> </font> </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class=MsoNormal> <font color=#000000>TIM has 30 days to provide Anatel with a study on the impact of the plan on its network and to make the necessary adjustments to ensure its service meets the agency's quality standards.<o:p></o:p> </font> </p> <p> Source: <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/16/tim-brazil-regulator-idUSL1E8MG22L20121116">Reuters</a>. </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=52683215-2c6b-421a-83ad-26d5c90d5dc9" /> Americas Quality of service http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=1c73362f-3b09-45e7-9402-7be2f2c15a63 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,1c73362f-3b09-45e7-9402-7be2f2c15a63.aspx

America Movil’s (AM’s) domestic mobile subsidiary, Telcel, has reportedly inaugurated commercial Long Term Evolution (LTE) services, BNamericas reports. Telcel, which is Mexico’s largest cellco by subscribers, is understood to have made its 4G network available to customers in a total of nine cities at launch, with those being: Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Queretaro, Puebla, Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Hermosillo and Merida. For now, LTE-based services are restricted to post-paid customers only, although AM CEO Daniel Hajj was cited as saying that pre-paid options will be offered in the future.

Six LTE-compatible handsets are being offered to those customers looking to take up the new service, including the Samsung Galaxy SIII LTE, while Telcel has noted that the iPhone 5 will be available from January 2013. Pricing for the 4G service ranges from MXN499 (USD38) per month for a 500MB usage allowance, rising to MXN899 for a 700MB allowance.

Mr Hajj is also cited as saying that approximately 35% of Telcel’s mobile subscriber base currently uses data services, broken down as 20% which access data via its 2G network and 15% which connect via the 3G infrastructure. Having noted that data usage had increased tenfold over the past three years, Telcel has said a similar growth rate is likely in the wake of its 4G launch, with Mr Hajj reportedly saying that the cellco expects between one and three million people to adopt 4G within a year.

Meanwhile, with Telcel reportedly set to invest around USD3.95 billion on network upgrades between 2012 and 2014, at least USD1 billion of which will be spent on 4G equipment, it has said that it aims to expand coverage to 26 cities covering 65% of the population by April 2013.

Source: TeleGeography.

Telcel announces launch of commercial LTE in nine cities (Mexico) http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,1c73362f-3b09-45e7-9402-7be2f2c15a63.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Telcel+Announces+Launch+Of+Commercial+LTE+In+Nine+Cities+Mexico.aspx Tue, 13 Nov 2012 07:52:31 GMT <p> America Movil’s (AM’s) domestic mobile subsidiary, Telcel, has reportedly inaugurated commercial Long Term Evolution (LTE) services, BNamericas reports. Telcel, which is Mexico’s largest cellco by subscribers, is understood to have made its 4G network available to customers in a total of nine cities at launch, with those being: Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Queretaro, Puebla, Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Hermosillo and Merida. For now, <span class=caps>LTE</span>-based services are restricted to post-paid customers only, although <span class=caps>AM CEO</span> Daniel Hajj was cited as saying that pre-paid options will be offered in the future. </p> <p> Six <span class=caps>LTE</span>-compatible handsets are being offered to those customers looking to take up the new service, including the Samsung Galaxy <span class=caps>SIII LTE</span>, while Telcel has noted that the iPhone 5 will be available from January 2013. Pricing for the 4G service ranges from <span class=caps>MXN499</span> (USD38) per month for a 500MB usage allowance, rising to <span class=caps>MXN899</span> for a 700MB allowance. </p> <p> Mr Hajj is also cited as saying that approximately 35% of Telcel’s mobile subscriber base currently uses data services, broken down as 20% which access data via its 2G network and 15% which connect via the 3G infrastructure. Having noted that data usage had increased tenfold over the past three years, Telcel has said a similar growth rate is likely in the wake of its 4G launch, with Mr Hajj reportedly saying that the cellco expects between one and three million people to adopt 4G within a year. </p> <p> Meanwhile, with Telcel reportedly set to invest around <span class=caps>USD3</span>.95 billion on network upgrades between 2012 and 2014, at least <span class=caps>USD1</span> billion of which will be spent on 4G equipment, it has said that it aims to expand coverage to 26 cities covering 65% of the population by April 2013. </p> <p> Source: <a href="http://www.telegeography.com/products/commsupdate/articles/2012/11/07/telcel-announces-launch-of-commercial-lte-in-nine-cities/">TeleGeography</a>. </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=1c73362f-3b09-45e7-9402-7be2f2c15a63" /> Americas LTE http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=4d61f404-a351-4925-9dd2-21cffd296b39 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,4d61f404-a351-4925-9dd2-21cffd296b39.aspx

According to data published by Brazil’s Associacao Brasileira de Telecomunicacoes (Telebrasil), the country was home to a total of 83 million broadband accesses (fixed and mobile) at the end of September, up 58% or 30.5 million connections on the same time in 2011. Of the total, some 63.6 million people were accessing the internet via a mobile broadband connection, with a further 19.4 million using a fixed connection. The popularity of mobile internet access is booming, with Telebrasil noting that connections increased by 84% in the year to 30 September 2012, with 50.9 million Brazilian owning a 3G mobile phone and 12.7 million using a data terminal (modem/dongle) at that date. Further, the association notes that the uptake of smartphones is accelerating with numbers rising by 86% between September 2011 and 2012, including 30 million new 3G mobile connections. In the fixed broadband sphere, the country registered some 1.4 million net new users in the period under review, up 7.7% year-on-year. Telebrasil attributes a significant portion of the growth to the success of the country’s national broadband plan – Plano Nacional de Banda Larga – which it estimates accounted for 31.5% of all new fixed high speed accesses.

Source: TeleGeography.

Telebrasil: 83m broadband accesses at end-September (Brazil) http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,4d61f404-a351-4925-9dd2-21cffd296b39.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Telebrasil+83m+Broadband+Accesses+At+EndSeptember+Brazil.aspx Thu, 08 Nov 2012 13:39:56 GMT <p> According to data published by Brazil’s Associacao Brasileira de Telecomunicacoes (Telebrasil), the country was home to a total of 83 million broadband accesses (fixed and mobile) at the end of September, up 58% or 30.5 million connections on the same time in 2011. Of the total, some 63.6 million people were accessing the internet via a mobile broadband connection, with a further 19.4 million using a fixed connection. The popularity of mobile internet access is booming, with Telebrasil noting that connections increased by 84% in the year to 30 September 2012, with 50.9 million Brazilian owning a 3G mobile phone and 12.7 million using a data terminal (modem/dongle) at that date. Further, the association notes that the uptake of smartphones is accelerating with numbers rising by 86% between September 2011 and 2012, including 30 million new 3G mobile connections. In the fixed broadband sphere, the country registered some 1.4 million net new users in the period under review, up 7.7% year-on-year. Telebrasil attributes a significant portion of the growth to the success of the country’s national broadband plan – Plano Nacional de Banda Larga – which it estimates accounted for 31.5% of all new fixed high speed accesses. </p> <p> Source: <a href="http://www.telegeography.com/products/commsupdate/articles/2012/10/23/telebrasil-83m-broadband-accesses-at-end-september/">TeleGeography</a>. </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=4d61f404-a351-4925-9dd2-21cffd296b39" /> Americas Broadband Internet Mobile broadband http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=b518e977-6b54-4d14-bc96-934399d3a873 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,b518e977-6b54-4d14-bc96-934399d3a873.aspx

A report published this week by Cisco during the Futurecom conference in Rio de Janeiro claims that Brazil is currently underserved when it comes to the deployment of Wi-Fi hotspots, accounting for only 0.5% of the global total of 777,000. Cisco’s Brazil president Rodrigo Abreu said that despite boasting the world’s fifth largest mobile subscriber base, behind China, India, the US and Indonesia, there were only 4,000 Wi-Fi hotspots deployed in Brazil in June, compared to 180,000 in the UK alone at the same date. Abreu confirmed that Brazil’s mobile network operators are keen to utilise Wi-Fi to alleviate congestion of their 2G/3G networks, but are still assessing how best to monetise such a business model.

Source: Telegeography.

Brazil lagging on Wi-Fi hotspot coverage, Cisco says http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,b518e977-6b54-4d14-bc96-934399d3a873.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Brazil+Lagging+On+WiFi+Hotspot+Coverage+Cisco+Says.aspx Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:51:46 GMT <div class=article-text> <p> A report published this week by Cisco during the Futurecom conference in Rio de Janeiro claims that Brazil is currently underserved when it comes to the deployment of Wi-Fi hotspots, accounting for only 0.5% of the global total of 777,000. Cisco’s Brazil president Rodrigo Abreu said that despite boasting the world’s fifth largest mobile subscriber base, behind China, India, the US and Indonesia, there were only 4,000 Wi-Fi hotspots deployed in Brazil in June, compared to 180,000 in the UK alone at the same date. Abreu confirmed that Brazil’s mobile network operators are keen to utilise Wi-Fi to alleviate congestion of their 2G/3G networks, but are still assessing how best to monetise such a business model. </p> <p> Source: <a href="http://www.telegeography.com/products/commsupdate/articles/2012/10/12/brazil-lagging-on-wi-fi-hotspot-coverage-cisco-says/">Telegeography</a>. </p> </div> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=b518e977-6b54-4d14-bc96-934399d3a873" /> Americas Public access Wifi WiMax http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=d9c17004-f665-4853-987e-533365fddc87 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,d9c17004-f665-4853-987e-533365fddc87.aspx

Bolivian president Evo Morales has announced that Entel Movil, the wireless arm of the country’s former monopoly domestic and international long-distance (DLD and ILD) service provider Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (Entel), has achieved coverage of all of the country’s municipalities. According to local press source La Razon, at the launch of the network in Puerto Siles the politician revealed that Entel now offers services in the capitals of all 339 municipalities, up from 198 at January 2010 and 337 at the beginning of this year. It has been reported that Entel Movil has now deployed more than 1,500 base stations across the country.

Looking ahead, Mr Morales was also cited as saying that the launch of a new satellite – Tupac Katari – which is due to launch in late 2013, will improve communications in Bolivia further, and having achieved 100% coverage for mobile voice services, it is understood that the government now hopes to reach similar coverage levels for internet access. In line with such aims President Morales has reportedly called for an acceleration of the deployment of 4G technologies.

Source: Telegeography.

Entel Movil achieves coverage of all 339 municipal capitals http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,d9c17004-f665-4853-987e-533365fddc87.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Entel+Movil+Achieves+Coverage+Of+All+339+Municipal+Capitals.aspx Mon, 29 Oct 2012 09:39:49 GMT <div class=article-text> <p> Bolivian president Evo Morales has announced that Entel Movil, the wireless arm of the country’s former monopoly domestic and international long-distance (DLD and <span class=caps>ILD</span>) service provider Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (Entel), has achieved coverage of all of the country’s municipalities. According to local press source La Razon, at the launch of the network in Puerto Siles the politician revealed that Entel now offers services in the capitals of all 339 municipalities, up from 198 at January 2010 and 337 at the beginning of this year. It has been reported that Entel Movil has now deployed more than 1,500 base stations across the country. </p> <p> Looking ahead, Mr Morales was also cited as saying that the launch of a new satellite – Tupac Katari – which is due to launch in late 2013, will improve communications in Bolivia further, and having achieved 100% coverage for mobile voice services, it is understood that the government now hopes to reach similar coverage levels for internet access. In line with such aims President Morales has reportedly called for an acceleration of the deployment of 4G technologies. </p> <p> Source: <a href="http://www.telegeography.com/products/commsupdate/articles/2012/10/02/entel-movil-achieves-coverage-of-all-339-municipal-capitals/">Telegeography</a>. </p> </div> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=d9c17004-f665-4853-987e-533365fddc87" /> Americas Mobile http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=c75556ea-58cc-4d39-ade8-4a5d42261e51 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,c75556ea-58cc-4d39-ade8-4a5d42261e51.aspx

Telefonica’s Mexican wireless unit has revealed that it has nearly completed the rollout of the first stage of its Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. In a press release Telefonica Mexico announced that initially its 4G network will be available in three locations, those being: the Polanco area of the capital Mexico City; Zapopan in the state of Jalisco; and the city of San Pedro in Nuevo Leon. The new service is expected to launch sometime this month. In making the announcement, Telefonica Mexico also noted that it expects to spend more than MXN3 billion (USD234 million) on its LTE rollout between now and end-2013.

Source: Telegeography.

Telefonica Mexico eyes LTE launch this month http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,c75556ea-58cc-4d39-ade8-4a5d42261e51.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Telefonica+Mexico+Eyes+LTE+Launch+This+Month.aspx Mon, 29 Oct 2012 09:36:34 GMT <div class=article-text> <p> Telefonica’s Mexican wireless unit has revealed that it has nearly completed the rollout of the first stage of its Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. In a press release Telefonica Mexico announced that initially its 4G network will be available in three locations, those being: the Polanco area of the capital Mexico City; Zapopan in the state of Jalisco; and the city of San Pedro in Nuevo Leon. The new service is expected to launch sometime this month. In making the announcement, Telefonica Mexico also noted that it expects to spend more than <span class=caps>MXN3</span> billion (USD234 million) on its <span class=caps>LTE</span> rollout between now and end-2013. </p> <p> Source: <a href="http://www.telegeography.com/products/commsupdate/articles/2012/10/01/telefonica-mexico-eyes-lte-launch-this-month/">Telegeography</a>. </p> </div> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=c75556ea-58cc-4d39-ade8-4a5d42261e51" /> Americas Investments LTE http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=ebed4315-bac2-4369-be58-e632f38a8135 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,ebed4315-bac2-4369-be58-e632f38a8135.aspx

The Bureau of Telecommunications and Post of Sint Maarten (BTP-SXM) has released its first ever set of telecoms data relating to the Caribbean island nation. The watchdog, which was established as an independent regulatory authority on 10 October 2010, following the formal dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, has revealed that the country recorded a total of 67,124 mobile subscribers as at 31 December 2011, equivalent to a population penetration rate of 164.3%. Meanwhile, broadband subscribers numbered 10,966 at the same date, with Sint Maarten accounting for just 6,862 wireline customer accounts.

TeleGeography notes that telecoms companies licenced to operate on Sint Maarten include full-service telecoms provider Telem Group, pan-Caribbean mobile group UTS, US Virgin Islands-based broadband/cable TV firm Innovative Cable and internet service provider (ISP) Scarlet. Most recently, cableco MacTech was licensed to offer broadband services over its cable infrastructure on 27 February 2012.

Despite a series of referendums held in the early 1990s indicating that the islands that comprised the Netherlands Antilles were happy to remain a part of it, the arrangement was a fairly unhappy one, and between June 2000 and April 2005, each island held a new referendum on their future status. Of the five islands, Sint Maarten and Curacao voted for ‘status aparte’, Saba and Bonaire voted for closer ties to the Netherlands, and Sint Eustatius voted to stay within the Netherlands Antilles. On 12 October 2006 the Netherlands mainland government reached an agreement with Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba to make these islands special municipalities, while Curacao and Sint Maarten were granted autonomy on 3 November 2006. The Netherlands Antilles was officially dissolved on 10 October 2010, with Curacao and Sint Maarten becoming new constituent countries.

Source: Telegeography.

BTP publishes first ever set of Sint Maarten telecoms data http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,ebed4315-bac2-4369-be58-e632f38a8135.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/BTP+Publishes+First+Ever+Set+Of+Sint+Maarten+Telecoms+Data.aspx Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:08:54 GMT <div class=article-text> <p> The Bureau of Telecommunications and Post of Sint Maarten (BTP-SXM) has released its first ever set of telecoms data relating to the Caribbean island nation. The watchdog, which was established as an independent regulatory authority on 10 October 2010, following the formal dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, has revealed that the country recorded a total of 67,124 mobile subscribers as at 31 December 2011, equivalent to a population penetration rate of 164.3%. Meanwhile, broadband subscribers numbered 10,966 at the same date, with Sint Maarten accounting for just 6,862 wireline customer accounts. </p> <p> TeleGeography notes that telecoms companies licenced to operate on Sint Maarten include full-service telecoms provider Telem Group, pan-Caribbean mobile group <span class=caps>UTS</span>, US Virgin Islands-based broadband/cable TV firm Innovative Cable and internet service provider (ISP) Scarlet. Most recently, cableco MacTech was licensed to offer broadband services over its cable infrastructure on 27 February 2012. </p> <p> Despite a series of referendums held in the early 1990s indicating that the islands that comprised the Netherlands Antilles were happy to remain a part of it, the arrangement was a fairly unhappy one, and between June 2000 and April 2005, each island held a new referendum on their future status. Of the five islands, Sint Maarten and Curacao voted for ‘status aparte’, Saba and Bonaire voted for closer ties to the Netherlands, and Sint Eustatius voted to stay within the Netherlands Antilles. On 12 October 2006 the Netherlands mainland government reached an agreement with Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba to make these islands special municipalities, while Curacao and Sint Maarten were granted autonomy on 3 November 2006. The Netherlands Antilles was officially dissolved on 10 October 2010, with Curacao and Sint Maarten becoming new constituent countries. </p> <p> Source: <a href="http://www.telegeography.com/products/commsupdate/articles/2012/09/14/btp-publishes-first-ever-set-of-sint-maarten-telecoms-data/">Telegeography</a>. </p> </div> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=ebed4315-bac2-4369-be58-e632f38a8135" /> Americas Caribbean Mobile subscriptions http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=53c0a657-2a14-4fd2-9cc6-82a1a674859d http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,53c0a657-2a14-4fd2-9cc6-82a1a674859d.aspx

Chilean regulator Sub-Secretaria de Telecomunicaciones (Subtel) has announced that population penetration for internet services had increased to 34% by end-June 2012, reaching the regulator’s target for 2014 more than a year ahead of schedule. Subtel attributes the uptake to the growth of mobile devices, the enforcement of net neutrality and government spending on increasing connectivity for schools and rural communities. The regulator added that customer complaints relating to internet-use made up just 7.3% of the total complaints in the sector, with Subtel ruling in favour of customers in 82% of cases. The most common complaints were regarding continuity of service and breach of contract, whilst issues with browsing speed were the fifth leading cause of complaints. The average maximum speed of internet connections in Chile was reportedly 3.4Mbps.

Source: Telegeography.

Chile internet penetration more than a year ahead of schedule http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,53c0a657-2a14-4fd2-9cc6-82a1a674859d.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Chile+Internet+Penetration+More+Than+A+Year+Ahead+Of+Schedule.aspx Mon, 01 Oct 2012 11:56:52 GMT <div class=article-text> <p> Chilean regulator Sub-Secretaria de Telecomunicaciones (Subtel) has announced that population penetration for internet services had increased to 34% by end-June 2012, reaching the regulator’s target for 2014 more than a year ahead of schedule. Subtel attributes the uptake to the growth of mobile devices, the enforcement of net neutrality and government spending on increasing connectivity for schools and rural communities. The regulator added that customer complaints relating to internet-use made up just 7.3% of the total complaints in the sector, with Subtel ruling in favour of customers in 82% of cases. The most common complaints were regarding continuity of service and breach of contract, whilst issues with browsing speed were the fifth leading cause of complaints. The average maximum speed of internet connections in Chile was reportedly 3.4Mbps. </p> <p> Source: <a href="http://www.telegeography.com/products/commsupdate/articles/2012/09/25/chile-internet-penetration-more-than-a-year-ahead-of-schedule/">Telegeography</a>. </p> </div> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=53c0a657-2a14-4fd2-9cc6-82a1a674859d" /> Americas Broadband speed Internet http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=76957aaf-daa9-4c6a-9136-7b7a25043e62 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,76957aaf-daa9-4c6a-9136-7b7a25043e62.aspx

Costa Rican regulator the Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones (Sutel) has announced plans to implement mobile number portability (MNP) by the end of 2012, or early 2013. The watchdog will select a company to manage the service by the end of August and the company will be given three months for infrastructure work, followed by a month of testing. As noted in TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, Sutel originally planned to have MNP available when it ended the monopoly of incumbent operator ICE Celular last year but chose to delay its implementation when the regulator failed to decide how to distribute the costs. MNP is expected to shake up the market further and level the playing field for the market’s two newest entrants, Mexican-backed Claro Costa Rica and Movistar Costa Rica. Even without MNP, the new players – backed by Latam heavyweights America Movil and Telefonica – have begun eating into ICE’s customer base: in the first three months of 2012 alone, ICE lost more than 400,000 subscribers to the new operators, reducing its market share from 93.1% to 87.8%.

In other Costa Rica news, Sutel has invited interested companies to take part in a preliminary hearing to receive comments prior to the watchdog’s launching of a tender for ‘Monitoring and Managing the National Spectrum’. The regulator is inviting comments on the draft tender until 25 June.

Source: Telegeography

End of the ICE age? MNP due by end-2012 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,76957aaf-daa9-4c6a-9136-7b7a25043e62.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/End+Of+The+ICE+Age+MNP+Due+By+End2012.aspx Wed, 04 Jul 2012 14:56:19 GMT <div class=article-text> <p> Costa Rican regulator the Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones (Sutel) has announced plans to implement mobile number portability (MNP) by the end of 2012, or early 2013. The watchdog will select a company to manage the service by the end of August and the company will be given three months for infrastructure work, followed by a month of testing. As noted in TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, Sutel originally planned to have <span class=caps>MNP</span> available when it ended the monopoly of incumbent operator <span class=caps>ICE</span> Celular last year but chose to delay its implementation when the regulator failed to decide how to distribute the costs. <span class=caps>MNP</span> is expected to shake up the market further and level the playing field for the market’s two newest entrants, Mexican-backed Claro Costa Rica and Movistar Costa Rica. Even without <span class=caps>MNP</span>, the new players – backed by Latam heavyweights America Movil and Telefonica – have begun eating into <span class=caps>ICE</span>’s customer base: in the first three months of 2012 alone, <span class=caps>ICE</span> lost more than 400,000 subscribers to the new operators, reducing its market share from 93.1% to 87.8%. </p> <p> In other Costa Rica news, Sutel has invited interested companies to take part in a preliminary hearing to receive comments prior to the watchdog’s launching of a tender for ‘Monitoring and Managing the National Spectrum’. The regulator is inviting comments on the draft tender until 25 June. </p> <p> Source: <a href="http://www.telegeography.com/products/commsupdate/articles/2012/06/14/end-of-the-ice-age-mnp-due-by-end-2012/">Telegeography</a> </p> </div> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=76957aaf-daa9-4c6a-9136-7b7a25043e62" /> Americas Mobile number portability Operators http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=66974eaa-77f1-42f6-998d-a667fecb9cff http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,66974eaa-77f1-42f6-998d-a667fecb9cff.aspx

Chilean telecoms regulator the Sub-Secretaria de Telecomunicaciones (Subtel) has announced the completion of its public-private initiative, to deliver broadband services to remote rural communities. The project, which saw Subtel partner with local operator Entel and was launched December 2009, rolled out wireless broadband networks to 1,474 towns and villages allowing around three million Chileans to access the internet more easily. The project cost USD110 million, with Entel providing USD65 million, and USD45 million coming from the Fund for the Development of Telecommunications (FDT) and the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications (MTT). As noted in TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, the first stage of the project was completed in September 2010, having connected 451 communities, consisting of around 1.7 million people.

Source: TeleGeography.

Subtel and Entel complete rural connectivity project (Chile) http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,66974eaa-77f1-42f6-998d-a667fecb9cff.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Subtel+And+Entel+Complete+Rural+Connectivity+Project+Chile.aspx Fri, 22 Jun 2012 14:02:32 GMT <p> Chilean telecoms regulator the Sub-Secretaria de Telecomunicaciones (Subtel) has announced the completion of its public-private initiative, to deliver broadband services to remote rural communities. The project, which saw Subtel partner with local operator Entel and was launched December 2009, rolled out wireless broadband networks to 1,474 towns and villages allowing around three million Chileans to access the internet more easily. The project cost <span class=caps>USD110</span> million, with Entel providing <span class=caps>USD65</span> million, and <span class=caps>USD45</span> million coming from the Fund for the Development of Telecommunications (FDT) and the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications (MTT). As noted in TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, the first stage of the project was completed in September 2010, having connected 451 communities, consisting of around 1.7 million people. </p> <p> Source: <a href="http://www.telegeography.com/products/commsupdate/articles/2012/05/16/subtel-and-entel-complete-rural-connectivity-project/">TeleGeography</a>. </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=66974eaa-77f1-42f6-998d-a667fecb9cff" /> Americas Broadband Rural connectivity http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=09a7c6e4-333a-4af5-b75c-09028f48aba7 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,09a7c6e4-333a-4af5-b75c-09028f48aba7.aspx

According to figures released by the regulator, Anatel, the number of wireless subscribers in Brazil reached 153.7 million at the end of March, up 0.9% month-on-month. Vivo, a joint venture between Telefonica of Spain and Portugal Telecom, leads the market with a 29.7% share of users, followed by America Movil-backed Claro (25.8%), TIM (23.5%) and Oi (16.8%).

Source: TeleGeography.

Brazil's mobile market up 0.9% in March http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,09a7c6e4-333a-4af5-b75c-09028f48aba7.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Brazils+Mobile+Market+Up+09+In+March.aspx Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:10:01 GMT <p> <font color=#000000>According to figures released by the regulator, Anatel, the number of wireless subscribers in Brazil reached 153.7 million at the end of March, up 0.9% month-on-month. Vivo, a joint venture between Telefonica of Spain and Portugal Telecom, leads the market with a 29.7% share of users, followed by America Movil-backed Claro (25.8%), TIM (23.5%) and Oi (16.8%).</font> </p> <p> <a href="http://www.telegeography.com/cu/article.php?article_id=28144&amp;email=html"><font color=#808080>Source: TeleGeography.</font></a> </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=09a7c6e4-333a-4af5-b75c-09028f48aba7" /> Americas Mobile subscribers http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=def656a4-5f23-4b4f-b727-2c566b09c4d9 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,def656a4-5f23-4b4f-b727-2c566b09c4d9.aspx

Mobile banking, in Colombia, has started gaining acceptance, reports nation’s Ministry of Finance. In 2008, the country saw 2.53 million m-banking operations, of which 443,787 were used for COP 12 billion in transactions and 2.08 million to check account balances. The country’s m-banking platform is being offered by Redeban Multicolor in partnership with Gemalto. The platform enables prepaid and postpaid mobile subscribers to access their bank services.
The pioneering banks in this area are AV Villas, Bancolombia, Davivienda, BBVA and Banco BCSC Colmena.

Source: Wireless Federation.

Colombia sees 2.53Mn m-banking operations, gains acceptance http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,def656a4-5f23-4b4f-b727-2c566b09c4d9.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Colombia+Sees+253Mn+Mbanking+Operations+Gains+Acceptance.aspx Mon, 27 Apr 2009 07:53:03 GMT <p> <font color=#000000>Mobile banking, in Colombia, has started gaining acceptance, reports nation’s Ministry of Finance. In 2008, the country saw 2.53 million m-banking operations, of which 443,787 were used for COP 12 billion in transactions and 2.08 million to check account balances. The country’s m-banking platform is being offered by Redeban Multicolor in partnership with Gemalto. The platform enables prepaid and postpaid mobile subscribers to access their bank services.<br> The pioneering banks in this area are AV Villas, Bancolombia, Davivienda, BBVA and Banco BCSC Colmena.</font> </p> <p> <font color=#808080><a href="http://wirelessfederation.com/news/15433-colombia-sees-2.53mn-m-banking-operations-gains-acceptance/">Source: Wireless Federation.</a></font> </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=def656a4-5f23-4b4f-b727-2c566b09c4d9" /> Americas m-banking http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=d8611d38-dd12-445c-bb37-14de263351f5 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,d8611d38-dd12-445c-bb37-14de263351f5.aspx
Brazil ended 2008 with 10 million broadband subscribers, an increase of two million on the previous year, according to a study published by the Brazilian Telecommunications Association (Telebrasil). Broadband penetration reached 5.3 percent, up from 0.2 percent in 2001. The number of internet users surpassed the number of subscribers to pay-TV services (cable and MMDS), which amounted to six million. At the end of last year, more than 190 million users subscribed to telecommunications services, of which 41.3 million to fixed telephony and 150.6 million to mobile telephony. Gross revenue of the sector (fixed, mobile telephony, internet, pay-TV) was BRL 177.7 billion, a 12.9 percent increase on the BRL 157.3 billion produced in 2007.
 
Source: Telecompaper.
Brazil ends 2008 with 10 million broadband subscribers http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,d8611d38-dd12-445c-bb37-14de263351f5.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Brazil+Ends+2008+With+10+Million+Broadband+Subscribers.aspx Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:33:09 GMT <div class=noColumns id=ctl00_MainPlaceHolder_divAbstract><span class=bold id=ctl00_MainPlaceHolder_txtAbstract></span> <div class=article><font color=#000000>Brazil ended 2008 with 10 million broadband subscribers, an increase of two million on the previous year, according to a study published by the Brazilian Telecommunications Association (Telebrasil). Broadband penetration reached 5.3 percent, up from 0.2 percent in 2001. The number of internet users surpassed the number of subscribers to pay-TV services (cable and MMDS), which amounted to six million. At the end of last year, more than 190 million users subscribed to telecommunications services, of which 41.3 million to fixed telephony and 150.6 million to mobile telephony. Gross revenue of the sector (fixed, mobile telephony, internet, pay-TV) was BRL 177.7 billion, a 12.9 percent increase on the BRL 157.3 billion produced in 2007. </font> </div> <div class=article><font color=#000000></font>&nbsp; </div> <div class=article><font color=#808080>Source: <a href="http://www.telecompaper.com/news/article.aspx?cid=666835">Telecompaper</a>.</font> </div> </div> <!--pageLinks--><img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=d8611d38-dd12-445c-bb37-14de263351f5" /> Americas Broadband Revenues http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=1a56e520-a4ca-4a33-968e-fac5c61df6a4 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,1a56e520-a4ca-4a33-968e-fac5c61df6a4.aspx Mobile Broadband Subscriber Growth Decelerates in Q4 2008 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,1a56e520-a4ca-4a33-968e-fac5c61df6a4.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Mobile+Broadband+Subscriber+Growth+Decelerates+In+Q4+2008.aspx Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:29:52 GMT <p> <font color=#000000>&shy;comScore has published the results of a study of U.S. Internet usage via mobile PC data cards, which showed that the subscriber base - which previously had been growing strongly - began to decelerate noticeably in Q4 2008.</font> </p> <p> <font color=#000000>The study examined the usage and characteristics of mobile PC data card users through data collected from computers where Internet access via mobile broadband Internet service providers (ISPs) occurred.</font> </p> <div onclick="Table210420093.style.display='block'"><font color=#808080 size=2>Click here&nbsp;to see full article</font>> </div> <table id=Table210420093 style="DISPLAY: none" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p align=left> <font color=#000000 size=2> <p> <strong><font color=#000000>PC Data Card Growth Pulls Back in Q4 2008</font></strong> </p> <p> <font color=#000000>PC data card adoption grew 163 percent overall in 2008, slightly ahead of the 157 percent growth rate in 2007, a confirmation of the market's strong growth trajectory. However, despite this rapid adoption curve, Q4 2008 showed the first signs of softness in the market, as sequential quarterly subscriber growth fell to just 5 percent, following sequential growth of 22 percent in Q3 2008 and several preceding quarters of double-digit growth.</font> </p> <h2 align=center><font color=#000000 size=2>Mobile Broadband Subscriber Growth by Quarter</font> </h2> <p align=center> <font color=#000000>Total U.S. - Home/Work/University Locations</font> </p> <div align=center> <center> <table class=empty width=300 border=1> <tbody> <tr> <th> <font color=#000000 size=2>Quarter&nbsp;&nbsp; </font> </th> <th> <font color=#000000 size=2>Growth vs.<br> Prior Quarter</font> </th> </tr> <tr> <td> <font color=#000000 size=2>Q2 2007&nbsp;&nbsp; </font></td> <td align=middle> <font color=#000000 size=2>11%</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <font color=#000000 size=2>Q3 2007&nbsp;&nbsp; </font></td> <td align=middle> <font color=#000000 size=2>27%</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <font color=#000000 size=2>Q4 2007&nbsp;&nbsp; </font></td> <td align=middle> <font color=#000000 size=2>28%</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <font color=#000000 size=2>Q1 2008&nbsp;&nbsp; </font></td> <td align=middle> <font color=#000000 size=2>12%</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <font color=#000000 size=2>Q2 2008&nbsp;&nbsp; </font></td> <td align=middle> <font color=#000000 size=2>14%</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <font color=#000000 size=2>Q3 2008&nbsp;&nbsp; </font></td> <td align=middle> <font color=#000000 size=2>22%</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <font color=#000000 size=2>Q4 2008&nbsp;&nbsp; </font></td> <td align=middle> <font color=#000000 size=2>&nbsp;5%</font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </center> </div> <p> <font color=#000000>"The PC data card market is clearly in the early stages of its adoption curve, with the overall number of subscribers multiplying in the past few years," said <PERSON> Serge Matta </PERSON> , comScore senior vice president. "That said, we've observed a significant deceleration in subscriber growth during Q4 2008 coinciding with the economic downturn, an indication that mobile broadband service may still be seen by many as a luxury rather than a necessity. Now is the time for mobile broadband providers to solidify their market position, because as the economy begins to recover and discretionary spending resume the market will likely accelerate once again. Verizon appears well-positioned for this eventual resurgence, having gained 2 market share points in the past year."</font> </p> <p> <strong><font color=#000000>PC Data Card Access Does Not Represent Incremental Internet Usage Overall</font></strong> </p> </font> <p> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> <font color=#000000>The study also compared the Internet usage patterns of mobile broadband PC data card users with the general U.S. Internet population to determine how the availability of mobile broadband affects online time. It is important to understand whether online access via mobile broadband represents incremental Internet usage or merely a shift in usage time between different access points.</font> </p> <p> <font color=#000000>When looking at the population in aggregate, the results indicated that PC data card usage actually represents a time-shift in Internet consumption, as PC data card users spent nearly the same amount of time online (89 hours) as typical U.S. Internet users (90 hours) during Q4 2008. Of PC data card users with both a PC data card and a wireline ISP, approximately 25 percent of their total online time (22 hours) was spent using a PC data card.</font> </p> <div onclick="Table210420094.style.display='block'"><font color=#808080 size=2>Click here&nbsp;to see full article</font>> </div> <table id=Table210420094 style="DISPLAY: none" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p align=left> <font color=#000000 size=2> <p> <font color=#000000>"That aggregate Internet usage via PC data card is not incremental to standard wireline Internet usage suggests that it's a valuable convenience feature for many Internet users," added Matta. "That said, there are also certain segments with PC data cards that do spend additional time online, likely indicating that these segments see PC data card as more of a necessity. Carriers seeking to generate strong PC data card subscriber growth during the current downturn will need to focus their marketing efforts on the differing needs of the various segments and consider offering financial incentives in this tough economic environment if they hope to continue attracting new users."</font> </p> </font> <p> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> <font color=#808080>Source: <a href="http://www.cellular-news.com/story/36954.php?s=h">Cellular News</a>.</font> </p> >> >> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=1a56e520-a4ca-4a33-968e-fac5c61df6a4" /> Americas Broadband http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=c5f0bcd1-1512-4105-aa51-11675d35061b http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,c5f0bcd1-1512-4105-aa51-11675d35061b.aspx Mexico 4Q 2008 results http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,c5f0bcd1-1512-4105-aa51-11675d35061b.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Mexico+4Q+2008+Results.aspx Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:14:47 GMT <p> </p> <p> &shy;The Mexican mobile market finished the year on 77.93m customers with a below-par performance for customer growth in Q4 2008. In fact, the quarterly increase of 2.24m was the smallest gain since Q2 06 and the smallest fourth-quarter gain in five years. The main cause of this was Iusacell’s loss of 0.56m customers as the result of a customer clean-up programme. </p> <p> However, the other operators also saw slightly disappointing figures for quarterly net additions, with all three recording a gain below that of Q4 07. The result was a marked slowdown in annual customer growth: from 21.2% in 2007, the rate fell to 13.4% in 2008, the first time it has dropped below 15% since Q4 03. However, with penetration at 70.5% at the end of the year, the decline may not be inexorable, and it is possible that 2009 will see a slight upturn. </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <div onclick="Table17042008.style.display='block'"><font color=#808080 size=2>Click here&nbsp;to see full article</font>> </div> <table id=Table17042008 style="DISPLAY: none" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p align=left> <font color=#000000 size=2>Market leader Telcel (America Movil) recorded a quarterly gain of 1.99m customers in Q4 08, its lowest fourth-quarter increase since 2003. However, Iusacell’s net loss saw Telcel improve its market share for the first time in two years. It recorded a 0.5pp quarter-on-quarter increase to finish the year with 72.3%, although this was down on the end-2007 share of 72.8%. In real terms, its year-end customer base stood at 56.37m. Second-placed Movistar (Telefonica Moviles) also saw a poor fourth-quarter gain of 0.67m, less than half the year-earlier gain of 1.46m. Nevertheless, it too improved its market share to 19.7%, a 1.5pp gain compared to the end-2007 figure. Its total customer base reached 15.33m thanks to annual growth of 22.3%, compared to 46.6% in 2007.</font> </p> <p align=left> <font color=#000000 size=2>Fourth operator Nextel led the market for growth with an annual gain of 27.4%. It finished the year on 2.73m, just 0.78m behind Iusacell which closed on 3.51m. Since Iusacell’s merger with Unefon, Nextel has been gaining on its larger rival, but this was the first quarter in which it was less than 1m adrift. Although Iusacell is likely to see a revival following its clean- up, the consistency of Nextel’s growth, with net additions of between 0.13m and 0.17m in each of the past eight quarters, means that any other slips on the part of Iusacell could make the contest very close indeed.</font> </p> <p align=left> <font color=#000000 size=2><img src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/content/binary/17-04-2009.gif" border=0></font> </p> <p> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <a href="http://www.cellular-news.com/story/36923.php?s=h"><font color=#808080>Source: Cellular News.</font></a><img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=c5f0bcd1-1512-4105-aa51-11675d35061b" /> Americas Mobile subscribers http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=da8ceac0-b944-4ed5-ae06-d0045c0d4323 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,da8ceac0-b944-4ed5-ae06-d0045c0d4323.aspx Caribbean & Latin America - CDMA Enters its "Sunset" Phase http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,da8ceac0-b944-4ed5-ae06-d0045c0d4323.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Caribbean+Latin+America+CDMA+Enters+Its+Sunset+Phase.aspx Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:39:38 GMT <p> <font color=#000000>&shy;The technology story in the Caribbean &amp; Latin America (CALA) region is simple: most US based technologies are in full retreat, while the international GSM/W-CDMA standards are proliferating. During the quarter, the number of customers connected to AMPS, TDMA and CDMA systems declined by 4.4m overall, bringing the number of disconnections so far this year to 19.9m, or 5.2% of the starting base.</font> </p> <div onclick="Table150420091.style.display='block'"><font color=#808080 size=2>Click here&nbsp;to see full article</font>> </div> <table id=Table150420091 style="DISPLAY: none" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p align=left> <font color=#000000 size=2>TDMA has been hardest hit, proportionately, as the number of customers using the technology collapsed, from over 10m to not much more than 2.5m - an overall decline of 73%. The AMPS technology that was originally deployed in most of these markets has been in decline for years and we estimate that over the course of this year, more than half of the remaining users disconnected, leaving a rump of not much more than 60k, mainly in rural and remote areas of the continent.</font> </p> <p align=left> <font color=#000000 size=2><img src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/content/binary/15-04-2009.gif" border=0></font> </p> <p> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> <font color=#000000>CDMA networks experienced the largest drop in absolute terms. It is only two years since Vivo began selling GSM handsets in Brazil, but over that time, the number of CDMA connections has dropped from 64.9m (of which 26.0m were in Brazil) to 41.7m. The disconnection rate appears to be accelerating slightly, the quarterly average increasing from 2.7m per quarter during 2007 to 3.1m per quarter in 08. Brazil, obviously, is not the only market where the technology is in retreat, with similar – or steeper - declines being seen in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Only Venezuela has seen an increase in users over the year but following CANTV’s decision to move to GSM, that is unlikely to be repeated in 09.</font> </p> <p> <font color=#000000>GSM has, predictably, been the main beneficiary. The range of low priced handsets available for this technology gives it a material advantage and over the year, it added a further 87m users, which took the regional total GSM base past 400m. GSM, of course, faces a growing “challenge” from its own 3G variant, W-CDMA. This first became available in Q2 07 although the overall base has reached just 5.3m (of which 4.9m were added in 2008).</font> </p> <p> <a href="http://www.cellular-news.com/story/36885.php?s=h"><font color=#808080>Source: Cellular News.</font></a> </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=da8ceac0-b944-4ed5-ae06-d0045c0d4323" /> Americas Mobile http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=87f910c3-45f1-4a87-b87d-4a88f24fa27c http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,87f910c3-45f1-4a87-b87d-4a88f24fa27c.aspx

Despite the fact that the Canadian mobile market is probably the least developed in the Western world, with a penetration rate of just 63.9% at the end of 2008, it performed poorly in the fourth quarter of the year. Quarterly net additions stood at just under 410k, down from 580k in Q4 07. In fact, this was the smallest fourth-quarter gain since 1997. More worryingly still, this was the first year since 1990 that fourth-quarter net additions were not the highest of the year: the Q3 08 increase was more than 27% higher than the Q4 08 figure at 520k.

Click here to see full article

In real terms, the total market stood at 21.63m customers at the end of 2008. Rogers led the way with 7.94m ahead of Bell (6.50m) and TELUS (6.13m). The other operators, MTS and SaskTel, are both regional (operating in Manitoba and Saskatchewan provinces) and with 0.4m and 0.5m connections respectively they have little market presence.

Source: Cellular News.

Canada Sees Lowest 4th-Quarter Gain Since 1997 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,87f910c3-45f1-4a87-b87d-4a88f24fa27c.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Canada+Sees+Lowest+4thQuarter+Gain+Since+1997.aspx Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:17:52 GMT <p> <font color=#000000>Despite the fact that the Canadian mobile market is probably the least developed in the Western world, with a penetration rate of just 63.9% at the end of 2008, it performed poorly in the fourth quarter of the year. Quarterly net additions stood at just under 410k, down from 580k in Q4 07. In fact, this was the smallest fourth-quarter gain since 1997. More worryingly still, this was the first year since 1990 that fourth-quarter net additions were not the highest of the year: the Q3 08 increase was more than 27% higher than the Q4 08 figure at 520k.</font> </p> <div onclick="Table060420093.style.display='block'"><font color=#808080 size=2>Click here&nbsp;to see full article</font>> </div> <table id=Table060420093 style="DISPLAY: none" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p align=left> <font color=#000000 size=2> <p> <font color=#000000>It seems clear that the difficult economic circumstances were at the root of this performance. While most markets have been relatively unaffected by the downturn, Canada’s ARPUs are amongst the highest in the world and it is therefore unsurprising that growth should have been hit. Market leader Rogers led the way with a quarterly average of Can$63.44 per month in Q4 08, with TELUS not far behind on Can$62.16. Regional operator MTS recorded a figure of Can$57.40 while Bell was a little more reasonable with Can$54.22. Although there were quarter-on-quarter declines across the board, this was consistent with the standard seasonal pattern, and the 2008 declines were only a little larger than those recorded a year earlier.</font> </p> <p class=inner_thumbnail_text align=center> <font color=#808080>Canada: Q4 Net Additions, 1997 - 2008</font> </p> <p class=inner_thumbnail_text align=center> <img src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/content/binary/06-04-20092.gif" border=0> </p> <p> <font color=#000000>These figures yield a national average ARPU of around Can$60 per month, equivalent to approximately US$49 or €36. This is surely unsustainable in the long term, not just because of the credit crunch, but also because of the launch of Orascom which is scheduled for Q4 09. Given that Orascom recorded a 2008 EBITDA margin of 41% in Pakistan based on a US$3 ARPU, its prospects in a market which is still less than two-thirds penetrated and which has such high levels of expenditure seem encouraging to say the least.</font> </p> </font> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> <font color=#000000>In real terms, the total market stood at 21.63m customers at the end of 2008. Rogers led the way with 7.94m ahead of Bell (6.50m) and TELUS (6.13m). The other operators, MTS and SaskTel, are both regional (operating in Manitoba and Saskatchewan provinces) and with 0.4m and 0.5m connections respectively they have little market presence.</font>> </p> <p> <font color=#808080>Source: <a href="http://www.cellular-news.com/story/36732.php?s=h">Cellular News</a>.</font> </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=87f910c3-45f1-4a87-b87d-4a88f24fa27c" /> Americas Mobile subscribers http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=2fecd59d-06a8-4d94-b059-0fa6f039da13 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,2fecd59d-06a8-4d94-b059-0fa6f039da13.aspx CTIA Reports US Mobile Data Revenues Jumped 39% in 2008 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,2fecd59d-06a8-4d94-b059-0fa6f039da13.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/CTIA+Reports+US+Mobile+Data+Revenues+Jumped+39+In+2008.aspx Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:40:18 GMT <p> <font color=#000000>&shy;The US trade body, the CTIA has published the findings of its semi-annual industry survey, which includes numerous positive metrics on the industry’s continued growth and popularity. In particular, wireless revenues showed impressive year-to year gains, as wireless data service revenues for the year 2008 rose to more than $32 billion. This represents a 39% increase over 2007, when data revenues totaled $23.2 billion. Wireless data revenues for 2008 amounted to nearly 22% of all wireless service revenues, and represent what consumers spend on non-voice services.</font> </p> <div onclick="Table060420092.style.display='block'"><font color=#808080 size=2>Click here&nbsp;to see full article</font>> </div> <table id=Table060420092 style="DISPLAY: none" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p align=left> <font color=#000000 size=2> <p> <font color=#000000>“The new survey results clearly prove that mobile broadband services are enabling more Americans to grow their world like never before. Wireless technology is an integral part of everyday life for more than 87% of the U.S. population; changing and improving the way we connect and interact with the world around us,” said Steve Largent, President &amp; CEO of CTIA -The Wireless Association®. “The wireless industry consistently evolves, innovates, competes and grows every year at a rapid pace, and 2008 has carried on this remarkable trend.”</font> </p> <p> <font color=#000000>According to the survey, text messaging continues to be enormously popular, with more than one trillion text messages carried on carriers’ networks in 2008—breaking down to more than 3.5 billion messages per day. That’s almost triple the number from 2007, when 363 billion text messages were transmitted. Wireless subscribers are also sending more pictures and other multi-media messages with their mobile devices, with 15 billion MMS messages reported for 2008, up from 6 billion the year before.</font> </p> <p> <font color=#000000>As of December 2008, the industry survey recorded more than 270 million wireless users. This represents a year-over-year increase of nearly 15 million subscribers. The industry’s 12-month record for subscriber growth was reached in 2005, when 25.7 million new users came online.</font> </p> <p> <font color=#000000>Other highlights of the survey include: wireless customers using more than 2.2 trillion minutes in 2008, an increase of 100 billion minutes from 2007, and record-breaking six-month wireless service revenues of more than $75 billion with annual service revenues reaching $148 billion by year-end 2008.</font> </p> </font> </p> </td> </tr> </table> <p> <font color=#808080>Source: <a href="http://www.cellular-news.com/story/36814.php?s=h">Cellular News</a>.</font> </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=2fecd59d-06a8-4d94-b059-0fa6f039da13" /> Americas Revenues Traffic http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=60868e1e-3b1b-45c7-a6ea-ea1fc73e3029 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,60868e1e-3b1b-45c7-a6ea-ea1fc73e3029.aspx

Since the launch of mobile banking system in Colombia, the m-banking subscribers have crossed the mark of 9 million. Colombia has made an addition of 11,000 new m-banking customers per month, a report reveals. This service enables subscribers to use their mobile phones to consult their bank account balance, make money transfers and bill payments, as well as top-up prepay mobile phone accounts.

The incumbents like Comcel, Movistar and Tigo currently provide m-banking services as part of their value-added services portfolio.

The subscribers of Colombia made around 960,000 m-banking transactions, average generated by each subscriber is 8 m-banking transactions monthly.

Source: Wireless Federation.

Colombia m-banking subscriber base crosses 9Mn mark http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,60868e1e-3b1b-45c7-a6ea-ea1fc73e3029.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Colombia+Mbanking+Subscriber+Base+Crosses+9Mn+Mark.aspx Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:34:36 GMT <p> <font color=#000000>Since the launch of mobile banking system in Colombia, the m-banking subscribers have crossed the mark of 9 million. Colombia has made an addition of 11,000 new m-banking customers per month, a report reveals. This service enables subscribers to use their mobile phones to consult their bank account balance, make money transfers and bill payments, as well as top-up prepay mobile phone accounts.</font> </p> <p> <font color=#000000>The incumbents like Comcel, Movistar and Tigo currently provide m-banking services as part of their value-added services portfolio.</font> </p> <p> <font color=#000000>The subscribers of Colombia made around 960,000 m-banking transactions, average generated by each subscriber is 8 m-banking transactions monthly.</font> </p> <p> <font color=#808080>Source: <a href="http://wirelessfederation.com/news/14966-colombia-m-banking-subscriber-base-crosses-9mn-mark/">Wireless Federation</a>.</font> </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=60868e1e-3b1b-45c7-a6ea-ea1fc73e3029" /> Americas m-banking http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/Trackback.aspx?guid=a745967c-2af6-4fea-a05c-4f965e756cd5 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/pingback.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,a745967c-2af6-4fea-a05c-4f965e756cd5.aspx

M3 Wireless, Bermuda based mobile operator, has launched the island’s first 3G wireless broadband network, offering its subscribers broadband-like data speeds with prices ranging from BMD93 to BMD153 (USD93 to USD153) per month.

Source: Wireless Federation.

M3 Wireless launches 3G network, brings iPhone 3G to Bermuda http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/PermaLink,guid,a745967c-2af6-4fea-a05c-4f965e756cd5.aspx http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/M3+Wireless+Launches+3G+Network+Brings+IPhone+3G+To+Bermuda.aspx Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:31:32 GMT <p> <font color=#000000>M3 Wireless, Bermuda based mobile operator, has launched the island’s first 3G wireless broadband network, offering its subscribers broadband-like data speeds with prices ranging from BMD93 to BMD153 (USD93 to USD153) per month.</font> </p> <p> <font color=#808080>Source: <a href="http://wirelessfederation.com/news/14934-m3-wireless-launches-3g-network-brings-iphone-3g-to-bermuda/">Wireless Federation</a>.</font> </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/newslog/aggbug.ashx?id=a745967c-2af6-4fea-a05c-4f965e756cd5" /> 3G Americas